State Prosecutor Catherine Mwaniki stated that the time will allow investigating officers to travel to Obado’s rural home to collect more evidence/FILE
NAIROBI, Kenya, Nov 15 – Police now want to be given 15 days to detain Migori Governor Okoth Obado to allow them complete investigations into the illegal possession of firearms.
State Prosecutor Catherine Mwaniki stated that the time will allow investigating officers to travel to Obado’s rural home to collect more evidence.
She pointed out that they will also need to find out if the firearms were used in any crimes, which might lead to other charges.
“The most probable offense will be that of possession of a fire arm without a valid certificate and possession of ammunition,” she said.
“That is why we are praying for the ample time to rule out if there is any other offense which could have been committed if the court gives us ample time especially to confirm if the said firearms had been used for any other offence and your honor, this is very important even for the public,” she stated.
She wanted the court to deny the Governor Bail as the probe continues but his Lawyer Roger Sagana opposed the application.
“We need time to go through firearms data to find out the rightful owners of the firearms. We need time to find out if there are probable suspects, to record statements of witnesses, to go through phone data of probable suspects,” she stated.
Sagana observed that Obado admitted to have a licensed firearm together with that of his bodyguards and that they are not subject of dispute as they were verified.
“Two firearms were found in a metal suitcase inside the guard house and he also stated that the third one was brandished by an accompanying officer who was doing a search unaccompanied also in the guard house,” he stated.
“So it is malicious for the prosecution not to read this part when its common ground that those three were found in the house for his guards.”
Sagana stated that one of the bail terms in Obado’s case in the murder of his lover Sharon Otieno and her unborn baby bars him from being in his Rapogi home, “so the idea that he will interfere with investigations is very unlikely.”
“None of the pending investigations against Obado require his detention. This is punishment by public humiliation and embarrassment,” he stated.
He further observed that his bail terms in that case show that he is not a flight risk, and that he will cooperate with the court. “He has not breached any bail terms before.”
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He also stated that the governor cannot also interfere with undisclosed witnesses.
“Already, body guards arrested at the home recorded statements on the 13th, without any interference,” he stated.
The Governor was arrested on Wednesday and locked up at the Gigiri police station after one of the three guns found in his Migori home was found to be unregistered.
Seven of the guns are said to be registered and owners known but one is unregistered.
Obado will be facing charges weeks after he was freed on bond in a case in which he is accused of killing his lover Sharon Otieno and her unborn baby.
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